FREIGHT
TRANSPORT
ASSOCIATION
The London Lorry Ban
more emissions, more miles, more money
The London Lorry Ban was set up originally in 1986 to protect Londoners from the disturbances caused by
lorries over 18 tonnes at night and at weekends. Exemptions are provided for lorries having essential
business in London during the controlled hours. Condition 5 of the Traffic Order requires operators to
maximise the use of the Exempt Route Network and minimise the use of the restricted network. The harsh
enforcement of Condition 5 leads to long diversions, increased emissions, increased industry costs and
probably affects more households than the company’s preferred route.
FTA is working with member companies to identify the most problematic routes and hot spots, and to
suggest alternative options. This report highlights the costs for one vehicle on each of the four delivery
routes to be included in the main study.
ALG route
Preferred route
Banned section of preferred route
Delivery point
Case study 1 – Eltham to Edgware Road
Operator costs incurred
• ALG route: 26 miles
Preferred route: 12 miles
• Additional daily cost to operator of extra miles
£27 per round trip
• Annual cost to operator of extra miles
£7,020 (assuming five deliveries per week)
• Trip takes an extra hour to complete
Environmental cost
• Additional CO2 given off
9,563kg per vehicle per annum
There will also be additional nitrous oxide emissions given off when driving extra miles.
FREIGHT
TRANSPORT
ASSOCIATION
ALG route
Preferred route
Banned section of preferred route
Delivery point
Case study 2 – Greenwich to Islington
Operator costs incurred
• ALG route: 28 miles
Preferred route: 11 miles
• Additional daily cost to operator of extra miles
£33 per round trip
• Annual cost to operator of extra miles
£8,580 (assuming five deliveries per week)
• Trip takes over an hour extra to complete
Environmental cost
• Additional CO2 given off
11,606kg per vehicle per annum
There will also be additional nitrous oxide emissions given off when driving extra miles.
Company comment
“Morale is low amongst our own drivers as they have to take the London deliveries whilst
agency drivers are given the easier routes.”
“Why can’t there be a CD-rom available that allows for interactive planning of routes?”
FREIGHT
TRANSPORT
ASSOCIATION
ALG route
Preferred route
Banned section of preferred route
Delivery point
Case study 3 – Greenwich to Maida Vale
Operator costs incurred
• ALG route: 28 miles
Preferred route: 13 miles
• Additional daily cost to operator of extra miles
£29 per round trip
• Annual cost to operator of extra miles
£7,540 (assuming five deliveries per week)
• Trip takes at least an extra hour to complete
Environmental cost
• Additional CO2 given off
10,247kg per vehicle per annum
There will also be additional nitrous oxide emissions given off when driving extra miles.
Company comment
“If we do not have a driver with local knowledge of the ban, we have to deliver later.”
“It’s easier to make deliveries to stores before 7.00am when the roads are less congested.”
FREIGHT
TRANSPORT
ASSOCIATION
ALG route
Preferred route
Banned section of preferred route
Delivery point
Case study 4 – Greenwich to Dalston and Burnt Oak (two deliveries)
Operator costs incurred
• ALG route: 30 miles
Preferred route: 19 miles
• Additional daily cost to operator of extra miles
£21.50 per round trip
• Annual cost to operator of extra miles
£5,590 (assuming five deliveries per week)
• Trips take up to an hour extra to complete
Environmental cost
• Additional CO2 given off
7,517kg per vehicle per annum
There will also be additional nitrous oxide emissions given off when driving extra miles.
Summary
• The four delivery routes are costing operators at least an additional £29,000 per annum in vehicle and driver costs.
• The cost in pollution due to the extra mileage is 38.9t of CO2 as well as damaging amounts of nitrous oxides.
• The extra mileage results in longer journey times.
• Many trips are planned to arrive between 5-7am. These are early morning deliveries, not night-time.
• Operators are using vehicles plated at below 18t to avoid the ban. This means more trips and more pollution.
• Bearing in mind that noise was the original reason for the LLB ban, it should be recognised that four engines today
are less noisy than one engine was in 1990.
HERMES HOUSE, ST JOHN’S ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT TN4 9UZ
TELEPHONE: (01892) 526171
FA X : ( 0 1 8 9 2 ) 5 3 4 9 8 9
W E B S I T E : w w w. f t a . c o . u k
Freight Transport Association Limited • Registered Office • Hermes House, St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9UZ • Registered in England Number 391957